Costa Rica Photography Birding Tour: Osa Peninsula & Savegre Valley
A 16-day Costa Rica birding circuit from Pacific dry forest and Carara through the Osa Peninsula, Talamanca highlands, Caribbean lowlands, Arenal, Monteverde and La Ensenada.
Expedition Highlights
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Journey at a Glance
Follow the route and discover the defining experiences of the expedition.
Complete route
See the full expedition route before focusing on each chapter.
Alajuela
Spend one day around Alajuela, following the route through the key places and experiences of this stage.
Pacific Dry Forest and Carara
From Alajuela to the Pacific lowlands, with dry-forest roads, Tarcoles options and the first Carara-area searches.
Osa Peninsula and Corcovado
A long coastal transfer reaches the Osa Peninsula, where river bridges, lodge grounds and primary forest open a new set of lowland possibilities.
Talamanca Highlands
The route climbs from San Vito toward the highlands and the San Gerardo de Dota valley, with feeders, wetlands and high-elevation roadside birding.
Caribbean Foothills and Sarapiqui
Foothill reserves and a careful descent toward Hotel Quelitales set up the Caribbean lowland section.
La Selva and Arenal
A dawn at La Selva and a long transfer to Arenal combine forest interior birding with roadside possibilities.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
From Fortuna and Bogarin to Selvatura, the route climbs into the cloud forest and its bellbird country.
La Ensenada and Departure
Dry lowland birding, an optional mangrove boat and the final return to Alajuela complete the circuit.
Detailed itinerary
Alajuela
- Airport to Hotel Aeropuerto transfer
Orotina – Tarcoles
- Alajuela to Ceibo-Cascajal and Cerro Lodge transfer
- Ceibo-Cascajal Road Dry-Forest Birding
- Optional Caldera Mangrove Search
- White-throated Magpie-Jay Roadside Stop
- Cerro Lodge Grounds, Gardens and Veranda
- Optional Tarcoles River Boat Trip
- Cerro Lodge Observation Tower
- Cerro Lodge Access-Road Owling
Carara National Park – Tarcoles
- Cerro Lodge to Carara transfer
- Carara National Park — Laguna Meandrica Trail
- Carara National Park — Headquarters Trail
Quepos – Isla del Caño
- Cerro Lodge to Osa Peninsula coastal transfer
- Coastal Drive Birding Stops via Quepos and Dominical
- Rincon River Bridge Yellow-billed Cotinga Search
- Danta Corcovado Lodge Grounds
Isla del Caño
- Danta Corcovado Lodge Trails
- Danta Lodge Hummingbird Feeders
San Vito
- Danta Corcovado to La Gamba Road transfer
- La Gamba Road Birding
- La Gamba Road to San Vito transfer
- Wilson Botanical Gardens
San Gerardo de Dota – San Vito
- San Vito to San Gerardo de Dota transfer
- San Joaquin Wetlands and Highland Ascent
- La Georgina High-Elevation Feeders
- Cerro de la Muerte Antenna-Road Birding
- San Gerardo de Dota Valley Lodge Feeders
San Gerardo de Dota
- Paraiso Quetzal Local-Finca Quetzal Program
- Savegre Private Reserve and River-Corridor Birding
- Savegre Highland Downhill Trail
Turrialba – Quelitales – Cartago
- San Gerardo de Dota to Reserva el Copal transfer
- Reserva el Copal Foothill Birding
- Reserva el Copal to Hotel Quelitales transfer
Quelitales – Puerto Viejo
- Hotel Quelitales Grounds and Scaled Antpitta Hide
- Hotel Quelitales to Sarapiqui via El Tapir transfer
- El Tapir Snowcap Flowering Beds
- Additional Roadside Birding Stops toward Puerto Viejo
- Great Green Macaw Site near Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo – La Fortuna
- La Selva Biological Station Dawn Birding
- Puerto Viejo to La Selva and Arenal transfer
La Fortuna
- Arenal Observatory Lodge Private Reserve Trails
La Fortuna – Monteverde
- Fortuna Rail Stakeout and Bogarin Trail
- Arenal to Monteverde transfer
- Selvatura Montane Forest and Suspension Bridges
Monteverde – Tortuga Island – La Ensenada Sanctuary
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Monteverde to La Ensenada transfer
La Ensenada Sanctuary – Alajuela
- La Ensenada Dry-Lowland Birding
- Optional La Ensenada Mangrove Boat Trip
- La Ensenada to Alajuela transfer
Alajuela
- Hotel Aeropuerto to international departure transfer
Target Species
A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.
Black-crested Coquette
- Arenal Observatory Lodge Gardens, Great Green Macaw site near Puerto Viejo
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 11.695 USD (731 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 10.095 USD (631 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 8.195 USD (512 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 7.095 USD (443 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- Hotel Aeropuerto — Alajuela — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Cerro Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Danta Corcovado Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in San Vito (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Savegre Mountain Hotel — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel Quelitales — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel Ara Ambigua — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Arenal Observatory Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Cala Lodge — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- La Ensenada Sanctuary Lodge — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van), as well as Local Taxi, Boat / Ferry
- Meals indicated in the program: 15 breakfasts, 14 lunchs, 15 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Arrival day and Departure day
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (2.459 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Second Participant Discount
- Travelling with a companion who isn't a photographer? Their per-person price is reduced by 500 USD.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
